The relationship between celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis is very close. Dermatitis herpetiformis is a cutaneous manifestation of celiac disease, and all individuals with dermatitis herpetiformis are considered to also have celiac disease. However, not all celiacs develop this skin condition. Both conditions are related to gluten sensitivity and share a genetic predisposition associated with the HLA DQ2 and DQ81 haplotypes.
Common symptoms may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and depression, among others. It is important to note that dermatitis herpetiformis is not related to the herpes virus, but rather its name is due to the characteristics of the skin lesions it produces.
Treatment for both conditions includes a strict gluten-free diet, which improves symptoms. In the case of dermatitis herpetiformis, medications such as dapsone can also be used, which is effective only for skin manifestations.
